General Election 2015

[Loz]

david_carnell Wrote:

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> A comment in a blog about the decline of the

> left-wing Social Democratic parties in Scandanavia

> and Austria caught my eye. It could easily apply

> to the Labour party here:

>

  Quote

Even though the Austrian Social Democratic leadership understands all of this, they haven't

been able to figure a way out of their dire situation. They have to triangulate between their

immigrant base, their anti-immigrant working class base (including working class pensioners) and the

left-liberal middle class base. Whatever they do, a majority of their own voters will be pissed off

Which is kind of the point I made earlier. The 'split brain' of the left - urban left and working class - is just not compatible any more. They will never live happily under the same banner.

I think the UK left need to take a cue from the Australian right. Over there it is divided into the Liberal Party (urban right) and National Party (rural/farming areas). They act as different parties but have a long-standing coalition agreement - even to the point they go into coalition where one could actually govern on its own.

Mind you, Australia has the AV system of voting for the lower house. Perhaps the antiquated FPTP system would just split the lefts vote.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I don't buy that Loz - although I see what you're getting at. There are those who are economically 'on the left' but pretty conservative socially, that's true. I'm not sure it's to do with how 'urban' they are though.

The thing is, it's no different on the right - many Tories are socially liberal and economically conservative. This is just the difficulty any party has in trying to appeal to lot's of people with differing views.

[numbers]

Green Goose Wrote:

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> Blah Blah Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Green Goose, a higher percentage of immigrants

> > work than UK nationals and PAY TAX. They can do

> > what they like with their disposable income

> just

> > as you can do with yours.

> >

> I didn't say anything about %ages working or

> whether they paid tax or not. I highlighted the

> fact that massive amounts of capital gets

> externalised and that this this is a negative

> factor associated with immigration.

>

> Now please let me have a quantifiable positive

> contribution.

>

> GG

I don't know why I am bothering really but GG why not have a wee read of this. For starters.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-institute/highlights/2014-15/immigration

[Loz]

A good summary of the uphill task facing Labour to regain power.

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/05/labours-path-back-power-tougher-you-think

They either have to radically change (of which I think they have no stomach - or brains - for) or just sit around waiting for the electorate to tire of the Tories (so, 2025 at the earlist).

[Otta]

Good article.

But what this election has taught me above all else is that no one really has a scooby what will happen a week ahead let alone a few years, and it's all just the opinions of mere mortals.

[Jah Lush]

http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/jahlushhead/4791fc50-4d74-4277-9c9e-a803706e4a9e_zpsj1inp8q5.jpg

[Otta]

Haha

[Loz]

The Daily Mash strikes again...

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/politics-headlines/new-party-for-socialist-misanthropes-a-hit-2015051598325

[bodsier]

http://www.livescience.com/18132-intelligence-social-conservatism-racism.html

[Jah Lush]

Before anybody asks I've decided to rule myself out of the Labour leadership contest.

[????]

bodsier Wrote:

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> http://www.livescience.com/18132-intelligence-soci

> al-conservatism-racism.html

A U.S. Study that looks at 'social conservatism' in the U.S. had what relevance to the UK General Election exactly?

[DulwichFox]

The main problem with people in this country (including Politicians) is that we are still talking

about the 2015 Election and will continue to do so until 6 weeks before the 2020 Election.

Just like in Football we seem to enjoy a good post mortem.

Ok, it might be of some benefit to analyse where things have gone wrong , but not so to dwell on it for ever.

If you fall off your bike get straight back on it. That way you won't feel the pain.

Foxy

[bodsier]

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ramesh-patel/growth-cameron-austerity_b_2007552.html

[maxxi]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Before anybody asks I've decided to rule myself

> out of the Labour leadership contest.

Bloody typical! Another one who's decided to run for Mayor.

[Loz]

bodsier Wrote:

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> http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/

A pretty withering response: http://brackenworld.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/did-ramesh-patel-get-paid-for-this.html

[Jah Lush]

maxxi Wrote:

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> Jah Lush Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Before anybody asks I've decided to rule myself

> > out of the Labour leadership contest.

>

>

> Bloody typical! Another one who's decided to run

> for Mayor.

I hadn't considered that but now you mention it.